Men's Health Statistics - Risk-taking

Alcohol consumption

Two out of five men drink too much (39%). Up from 27% in 1999.

Table showing percentage of men exceeding Department of Health daily benchmarks for alcohol - Great Britain, 1998-99 and 2001-02

As at Febuary 2004, Department of Health advice was that consumption of between 3 and 4 units a day for men should not lead to significant health risks.

Sources: Office for National Statistics, Social Trends 30 (The Stationery Office, London; 2000) and Office for National Statistics, Social Trends 34 (The Stationery Office, London; 2004).

Download Social Trends 34

Smoking

The number of male smokers has stabilised at 28%. They smoke slightly fewer cigarettes a week than in 1999.

Table showing percentage of men aged 16+ who smoke and the number of cigarettes smoked - Great Britain

Sources: Office for National Statistics, Social Trends 30 (The Stationery Office; London, 2000); Office for National Statistics, Living in Britain: Results from the 1996 General Household Survey (The Stationery Office; London, 1998) and Office for National Statistics, Social Trends 34 (The Stationery Office; London, 2004); Office for National Statistics, Living in Britain: Results from the 2001 General Household Survey (The Stationery Office; London, 2002).

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Body mass

Men are increasingly dangerously overweight.

Table showing body mass index of men, aged 16+ - England, 1997 and 2001

(Percentages)

Sources: Office for National Statistics, Social Trends 30 (The Stationery Office; London, 2000) and Office for National Statistics, Social Trends 33 (The Stationery Office; London, 2003).

Download Social Trends 33

Illegal drug use

About one in three young men use illegal drugs.

Table showing percentage of 16-24 year old men who had used drugs in the past year - England and Wales, 1998 and 2001-2

Sources: Office for National Statistics, Social Trends 30 (The Stationery Office; London, 2000) and Office for National Statistics, Social Trends 34 (The Stationery Office; London, 2004).

Download Social Trends 34

Use of suncream

Men are less likely than women to protect their skin by using suncream.

Table showing occasions on which people use suncream - England, 1998

(Percentages)

Source: Office for National Statistics, Social Trends 30 (The Stationery Office; London, 2000).

Accident rates

Men are much more likely than women to be affected by a major or minor accident.

Table showing annual accident rates per 100 adults, by age and sex - England, 1995-96 and 2000-01

Sources: Department of Health, Health Survey for England 1996. Volume 1. Findings (The Stationery Office; London, 1998) and Department of Health, Health Survey for England 2001. Non-fatal accidents (The Stationery Office; London, 2002).

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